Bald Eagle

Description

"Haliaetus leucocephalus. White-headed Sea Eagle. "Bald Eagle." "Bird of Washington". Adult: Dark brown; quills black; head and tail white; bill, eyes, and feet yellow. Three years are required for the perfection of the white head tail of the "bald" eagle. The first year, the young are "black" eagle; very dark colored, with fleecy white bases of the feathers showing here and there; bill black; iris brown feet yellow. The next year, they are "gray" eagles, and usually larger than the old birds, the largest known specimens being of this kind." Elliot Coues, 1884